O/T The Ashes

[mellowmiller]

Due to the weather conditions, weren't we restricted as to which bowlers we could use in this session? No fast bowlers etc?

No, the light only became an issue towards the end of the session and it was a spinner, Joe Root, who took the wicket.
Prior to that the fast bowlers were pretty ineffective.

[ragingpup]

No, the light only became an issue towards the end of the session and it was a spinner, Joe Root, who took the wicket.
Prior to that the fast bowlers were pretty ineffective.

Fair enuff

[mellowmiller]

Wasn't there only 30 overs bowled?

Yes but most of them were of poor quality particularly considering England knew they would only have a limited opportunity to make a significant breakthrough.

[Redshank]

Against my better judgement and much more in hope than expectation, I trudged over the Pennines to Old Trafford yesterday. As you'd expect, the Aussies were gloating at the end. But be in no doubt, they dearly want to win the series outright. It's 22 years since they last won an Ashes series outright in England so if we can stuff them at the Oval, the moral victory will be well and truly ours. We can send them packing feeling like they've lost.

There's still plenty to play for.

[Brin]

This is the final test and because the Aussies have retained the Ashes due to the weather, there doesn't seem to any interest.

After an average score for England having batted first, it's all to play for as the Aussies didn't fair much better. So after an innings each, it's looking like this:

DAY 2 OF 5 - 27th-31st July
England
283 all out
Australia
295 all out

Aussies lead by 12 runs.

Poor from Root bowled out for 5 runs, Stokes bowled out for 3 runs and Bairstow being bolwed out for 4 runs. These are the players we'd expect to give it a good go, just goes to show that sometimes it don't work that way.

[clarkey1974]

Not for the first time this series we have let the Aussies tail wag too long..!.

[philthefluter]

Not for the first time this series we have let the Aussies tail wag too long..!.

The Basball era will be the saving of Test cricket. It has been in decline for a long time, but this is the way forward.
England were unlucky not to level this series 2-2,with the weather intervening.
There is still something to play for though, as the Aussies have not won a series in England for a good while.

We need Archer to return asap, and time to say goodbye to Jimmy Anderson, our best paceman for many years is now a bit long in the tooth!

[jocksgloves]

Anyone else think that the Ashes actually spoil England-Assie serieses? It's been a terrific contest, but all that seems to matter is a 150 year old ritual. Even a 2-2 draw against the best team in the world will be seen as a disappointment.

[frogmiller]

It now seems to me as if the Aussies don't want the traditional Test Cricket changed.

England have breathed fresh air into the game with the way they've played (Bazball) and Australia are determined to prove that it won't work. From the negative fielding from the first test to the boring batting run rate their main batsmen played yesterday. It wasn't until Harry Potter started playing shots did the Aussie spectators smile yesterday!

However the cricket has been something special this series and has been more exciting thanks to the attitude of the England camp!

[Brin]

Really enjoyed this afternoon’s cricket.

I was just going to post Mo Ali was having fun with a swashbuckling slog but he’s just gone for 29 off 38 balls.

Two wickets in quick succession now sees England on 379-9 a lead so a good score that the Aussies have to chase.